How Building Your Brand Gets You Noticed Before You Even Apply
Christine Ong, PharmD
??Pharma-Biotech Career Strategist ? MEDICAL AFFAIRS & BEYOND ??Voted Top 12 Medical Affairs Expert (2024) ? 20+ Years in Industry ? Avg. $80K+ Salary Incr. | 3000%+ ROI ??14K+ Subscribers [Industry Career Insider]
Most people think of interviews as something that happens after you hit "apply." A recruiter reaches out, you prepare your talking points, and you hope to impress.
But what if I told you the most important interview is the one you’re having every single day—without even realizing it?
This invisible interview happens when recruiters, hiring managers, and industry professionals check your LinkedIn profile, skim your CV, or see your name pop up in a conversation. It’s the interview nobody told you about, but it’s the one that determines whether you get noticed or passed over.
If you’re spending all your time clicking "apply" and waiting for responses, you’re missing out on the opportunity to ace this interview—the one that gets you noticed before you even submit your application.
Are You Stuck in the Application Loop?
It’s a common story. You’ve sent out dozens, maybe even hundreds, of applications. You’re tailoring your CV, writing cover letters, and hoping this time you’ll get a response.
But when the weeks drag on, and nothing's happening, you start to question:
Most people focus too much on the application process and too little on building their professional visibility and communication skills.
And when they finally get that interview, they’re not ready to articulate their value because they haven’t practiced the art of storytelling and positioning themselves as a standout candidate.
What Is the “Invisible Interview”? The invisible interview is happening every time someone looks at your:
?? LinkedIn profile to assess your expertise.
?? CV to see if you match the role.
?? Comments on industry posts to get a sense of your insights.
?? Network connections to gauge your credibility.
It’s happening BEFORE you even get the chance to apply. And if your professional brand doesn’t communicate your value clearly, you’re missing out on opportunities.
??Stop Applying. Start Building.
If you want to break out of the application loop and ace the "invisible" interview, you need to reallocate your time and effort:
1. Applying: 1/3 of Your Time
Yes, applications still matter—but only as part of a bigger strategy.
2. Building Your Career: 2/3 of Your Time
This is where the real work happens—and where OPPORTUNITIES START to COME TO YOU BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE.
Bottomline. . .
The jobs you want aren’t just handed out to the most qualified person. They’re given to the professionals who:
?? Understand how to build visibility and credibility.
?? Position themselves as the solution to the company’s needs.
?? Communicate their value clearly and confidently.
If you are not getting anywhere, it’s time to rethink your approach and start building the career you deserve.
Are You Ready to Start Building?
My coaching program is designed to help you grow your career, refine your strategy, and take control of your professional journey.
CLICK HERE to learn more and stop relying on hope. Build the kind of career that stands out before you even hit “apply.”
Regulatory Affairs Strategist, Risk Management/REMS Expert, & Industry Thought Leader
1 个月I couldn’t agree more! In fact I recently posted about the importance of maintaining one’s personal brand by gracefully exiting roles that either weren’t a good fit to begin witj or simply no longer fulfilled the needs of the employee.
Love this
Great advice, thank you. I have been experiencing this your insight since I started to apply for different roles within clinical research.
Analista de Assuntos médicos | Farmacovigilancia
2 个月This is very insightful! Thank you Christine Ong, PharmD
Licensed Educator looking to switch careers to Sales or Liaison in the Pharmaceutical or Healthcare Industry. Experienced in Pharmaceutical Sales and B2B Sales.
2 个月Very insightful.